Inside Connection highlights the technologies, innovations, special services, and unique products from connector suppliers like Amphenol Sine Systems. Headquarters: Clinton Township, Mich., US About the Company Industrial@Amphenol is a subsidiary of the Amphenol Corporation and is a leader in industrial interconnect products. The company designs, manufactures, and supplies high-performance interconnect systems for a broad rangeRead More
Electric terminal manufacturers utilize a good portion of their engineering resources to develop new products or improve existing terminals for the automotive industry. Sam Francois of ETCO examines the keys to choosing heavy-duty terminals for automotive applications. Problems within a vehicle’s electrical system have long plagued the automotive industry. One of the most common areas forRead More
We’re introducing a new feature in this issue. “Connectors at Work” highlights a specific application and explains which connectors are most beneficial for system performance. First up, Bob Stanton of Omnetics looks at industrial robots. Industrial robotics are helping to revive automated manufacturing significantly. The development of new end-of-arm (EOA) instruments enables systems that can handleRead More
Idaho-based Melni Connectors was started by an inventor who designed a connector based on a children’s toy. Last week he found himself on the television hit Shark Tank, pitching the idea to potential investors. Inventor Mark Melni didn’t know a children’s toy would leave him swimming with the sharks. Although the connector industry is dominated byRead More
Top-of-rack switching has become the norm in data centers. What does that mean for data center connectivity solutions? With the advent of top-of-rack (ToR) switching and SFP+ direct-attach copper cables, more data centers are able to quickly implement cost-effective 10G-and-beyond connections. ToR designs originally popped up because data center managers ran out of roomRead More
One solution to the signal integrity and reach issues in copper cabling is the use of active copper cable assemblies. Bob Hult takes a look at today’s technology and where it could lead the industry. The long predicted demise of high-speed copper cables continues to be delayed/frustrated by continuing improvements in the technology of data transmission.Read More
Bishop & Associates examined the revenues of 11 companies and found the telecom/datacom cable assembly market 2014 sales racked up growth. Bishop tracks 11 companies in the telecom/datacom market sector. This market has shown four quarters of year-over-year growth, as measured by these 11 companies’ revenues. In 2013, these companies grew 0.1% year overRead More
Commonly overlooked when making a fusion splicer purchase, fiber optic cleavers are crucial tools that ensure perfectly smooth fiber ends. Sumitomo Electric Lightwave offers tips on how to choose fiber optic cleavers. The fiber cleaver is a tool commonly overlooked when making a fusion splicer purchase. Just ask any technician who has worked the lateRead More
Bishop & Associates tracks sales and profits in 13 market sectors. Based on the 120 companies it follows, it evaluated the performance results for OEM markets in 2014. How are OEMs faring in the current economic climate? The objectives in tracking sales and profits of these 120 companies in 13 market sectors are to determine how selected electronicRead More
For the new electric and hybrid vehicles, powertrain controls and connectors require the complete functionality of a conventional vehicle, plus the components required to drive the electric motor and charge the Lithium-ion battery pack. Worldwide production of electric vehicles (EV) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) reached two million units in 2014, nearly doubling since 2011 andRead More
Component requirements for the automotive market are demanding, diverse, and forward-looking. ODU shares five things to know about precise contacts for the automotive industry. The reliable transfer of power, signals, data, and media are achieved with interconnects across a wide range of demanding applications and markets. The requirements for the automotive industry, for example, are both diverse andRead More
Dr. Bob reviews two recently published papers to draw conclusions on the possible use of nanocrystalline silver alloy contact finishes in electronic applications. In my previous article, in which I mentioned two recent papers* on the nanocrystalline silver alloys of silver-tungsten (AgW) and silver-palladium (AgPd) and their use as contact finishes, I highlighted the potential benefits these alloysRead More
